The Les Outils Cullen Tools are another of the boutique tool manfucturers that have come on the tool scene in the last ten years. It is the small makers like Cullen and Blue Spruce, for example, who are leading the industry for quality and innovation. Les Outils Cullen Tools are all made in Quebec Canada in a small shop where the ownder makes sure that every tool made is of the highest quality. There are some more expensive gauges on the market, but I am not aware of any better gauges. In form, the Cullen gauges take there design cues from traditional gauges, but with Cullen Tools own distinctive innovations. Rarely will we make such a sweeping claim, but in this case we feel that it is justified to say that these are the best marking, mortising, and slitting gauges made today. There are certainly more expensive gauges available, but none of them offer the same combination of quality and practical, elegant design.

All Les Outils Cullen Tools gauges are made from Dymondwood with brass trim. Dymondwood is a simulated rosewood made from domestic hardwood which glued up like plywood with very thin layers, all dyed to give the impression of rosewood. Dymondwood is not only more environmentally friendly than using rain forest wood, it is actually more stable. Dymond wood is extremely durable and totally stable. You really have to look twice to see that this is not Rosewood, and since it is real wood, it will patinate and wear nicely.

Les Outils Cullen Tools use a specially made large diameter thumbscrew which will not ident the shaft of the gauge like typcial marking gauge thumbscrew.